Angle indicator



Feb. 19, 1935.

R. A. HENNINGS ANGLE INDICATOR Filed Feb. 18, 1933 Hausa;

' INVENTOR. 24241201259 A z emau zyn,

A TTORNEYS Patented Feb. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE.

1 Claim.

My present invention relates to an angle indicator and it consists in the novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide an instrument adapted to be applied to the body of an aeroplane, or submarine vessel and which may serve to indicate to the pilot or operator the angle of pitch or list of the body of the aeroplane or the submarine during the movement of the same. The arrangement is such that the operator or pilot may ascertain or be kept advised at all times as to the exact angle or position of the body while travelling.

With the above object in View the structure includes a number of inner and outer glass tubes, each inner glass tube having a luminous rod therein. There is a column of mercury sufficient to completely fill the space between the inner and outer glass tubes of one set of tubes. The outer tubes communicate with each other in common, at their inner ends by means of by-passes provided in a center block. The inner ends of the inner tubes are closed and do not communicate with each other. The column of mercury is suflicient to completely conceal one luminous rod when all of the mercury is between the lowermost inner and outer tube encasing the said rod. Thus all of the other rods are visible and the pilot or operator is advised as to the poise, with relation to the angle of the body of the aeroplane or submarine. As the angle changes the mercury flows from one outer tube into another, partially concealing the rod in the receiving tube and thus the operator or pilot is advised as to changes occurring in the poise or angle of the body of the aeroplane or submarine vessel.

The invention will be fully understood from the following description and claim when the same is read in connection with the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification in which Figure "1 is a perspective view of the angle indicator.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view of the intermediate portion of the instrument.

Figure 3 is a detail transverse sectional view out on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the views of the drawing.

' The angle indicator comprises a set of legs 1 preferably four in number. Said legs are adapted to be attached at their lower ends to the body of the aeroplane or submarine vessel. Each leg 1 is provided at its upper end with an opaque block 2. The blocks 2 of the legs are connected together by curved tubing 3,-4, 5 and 6. Similar tubes are connected with block 16 and with the blocks 2, said tubes being indicated at '7, 8, 9 and 10. Other tubes indicated at 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also connected with the blocks hereinbefore mentioned and with block 17 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. Nuts 15 are employed for holding the rods in position upon the blocks and whereby a frame for holding the tubes, to be described is provided.

The instrument also includes a center block 18 which is opaque. The inner ends of outer tubes 19, and 21 are connected with the block 18 and the inner ends of said tubes are in communication with each other through by-passes 25 provided in the block 18. Inner tubes 210. are located within the said outer tubes. The inner tubes encase luminous rods 22 and the lower outer tube holds a column of mercury which completely fills the lower tube when the body of the aeroplane or submarine vessel is erect. Should the body of the aeroplane or submarine vessel tilt or list some of the mercury will flow from the lower tube into one of the upper .tubes and partially conceal the rod therein thus indicating the degree of angle or slant which the body of the aeroplane or submarine vessel is assuming while travelling. Should the body of the vessel or submarine become completely inverted .or upside down the mercury will flow from that condition of the poise of the body.

The height of the mercury in tube 19 is normally at the level of the lower sides of the normally horizontal tubes leading into the center block. Should the vessel to which the instrument is attached tilt both transversely and longitudinally the liquid will flow into one or more of the horizontal tubes depending upon the direction of the angle of tilt, such flow being greatest in the direction of the greatest angle of tilt of the vessel and instrument.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing it will be seen that an instrument of very simple structure is provided and that the same will accurately indicate the poise of the vessel to which it is attached.

I claim:

An angle indicating instrument comprising a hollow center block, luminous rods radiating from the center block and attached at their inner ends to the side walls of said block, peripherial blocks municating at their inner ends with the hollow of the center block, the lower side of the center block having 9, depending tube connected therewith and communicating with the hollow of said block, and a column of mercury normally filling the depending tube and adapted to flow through the openings in the center block and enter the Spaces between the first mentioned tubes when the instrument is tilted.

RAYMOND A. HENNINGS. 

